Colossians 1:9-12
Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
A friend of mine is embarking on a huge project to create a home for single mothers whose children were placed in foster care and are now transitioning back into a “traditional home” setting. Many of these women need help developing the necessary skills to create a solid, stable family unit that can sustain them and their children. It is hoped that a commitment to six months in this group home will equip these families to function well enough to stay out of the foster care system and “make a go of it”. Is this project fraught with opportunities for difficulties – even failure? Absolutely! Does this mean that my friend should not pursue what she believes God has called her to do? Absolutely not!
There are plenty of situations where we hesitate to get involved because we fear the outcome. Will we offend the person we are trying to comfort? Will we say the right things? Will this endeavor work…or will it fail miserably? Will all parties be left disappointed – even devastated? If we cannot guarantee that our efforts and ministries will be successful – and fruitful – should we pursue them? Read this scripture passage again…pay particular attention to the phrase that says “It is strength [the God-given glory-strength] that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy…”
Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that “You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another.” There are a lot of situations where we will be called to pour out our hearts…to invest our physical, mental and emotional strength…and every indication will be that our attempts to share the compassion, mercy, love and grace of Jesus Christ were ineffective…rejected…a total waste of time. But this is never the case.
We do not get to decide whether our service for Jesus was effective or not. In fact, whether we have a visible, tangible result or not is totally unimportant. What matters is that we are obedient…that we do what God leads us to do…that we make the effort and trust Him for the outcome. So my friend feels that God is calling her to do this…and she is obediently serving. Whether the desired outcome is achieved or not is totally up to God. At the end of the day, all who were involved will know that they “worked hard in God’s orchard”…that they listened to His voice and operated in His strength.
Where is God calling you to step up and out today? Who needs a hug…a hand…a word of encouragement…or whatever you feel God leading you to share as an act of mercy and compassion? How are you offering God’s love to others…and how are you serving Him? Are you obedient and eager to learn more about how to do His work? Are you willing to accept the challenge…and the potential for “failure”?
God will not waste your efforts…you will not serve Him in vain – even if it seems that your offers of love and support have been rejected. When we listen to God’s voice and serve Him obediently, He will make the difference…and we will be strengthened and blessed in the process. Are you ready to discover this for yourself?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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